Tours and the Loire Valley

A cultural city

A lively town where you will rapidly feel at ease

1 hour and fifteen minutes from Paris by fast train

In the heart of Loire Valley

Tours boasts a friendly environment with a dynamism which attracts a university population of about 30,000 students out of a population of around 136,000, around 300,000 with its suburbs.

Rich in history and art, Tours is proud of its varied cultural life which satisfies enthusiasts of music, art, cinema, theatre and dance. The numerous festivals attract people of all ages.

The most practical way to discover the charm of the old quarters of Tours is on foot, taking in along the way the numerous museums, boutiques and markets, cafés and restaurants and all this around CLE.

It is a safe city on a human scale where you quickly feel comfortable. And icing on the cake: we are not in a capital city, people are not in a hurry, you will be pleasantly surprised by the kindness of the people of Tours.

To do during your stay in Tours:

_admire the cathedral and its 13th century stained glass windows,

_see a photography exhibition at the castle of Tours,

_visit the city with a “greeter”, an inhabitant of Tours,

_discover the contemporary art exhibited at the CCCOD

_take your time at a café terrace on the Place de Châteauneuf in front of CLE

_buy local products at one of the markets in Tours,

_walk along the Loire River or in one of the parks and gardens of Tours,

_have have an aperitif in Place Plumereau with its 15th century houses,

_dinner in one of the restaurants of the Vieux Tours

_listen to music or dance in the summer at the guinguette of Tours on the banks of the Loire River.

Place Plumereau at a 2-minute walk from CLE

Place de Châteauneuf in front of CLE

Farmers market near CLE

Tours cathedral

Tours and the Loire river

Traditional outside bar

Locate CLE in the heart of the city of Tours

Take advantage of your free time to discover the Loire Valley, a region known as “The Garden of France.” UNESCO has designated our region a World Heritage Site for its chateaus (castles)! We have prepared a guide and some insider tips for your visits to the Loire Valley, helping you voyage at your own pace. Most of the famous chateaus like Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau, Amboise, Chinon and Blois are accessible by train, bike or both (yes, you can take your bike on the train!). Cyclists can discover the Loire Valley easily thanks to the network of trails called “Loire by Bike” which leads to the beautiful places like the Renaissance Gardens of Villandry, just 20 km from Tours.

Summertime brings canoeing on the nearby Loire, Vienne and Cher rivers. Pass under the arches of Chenonceau by canoe for a magical moment!
Isabelle Aubert, CLE founder and director, is always delighted to give helpful suggestions. Explore CLE’s Instagram or Facebook account for some ideas before you leave home. Commercial touring services are also available through the nearby Office of Tourism.

Do not miss out while you are in Tours (everything is in a range of 30 km from Tours):

Chenonceau, the emblematic castle of the Loire Valley,
the Renaissance gardens of Villandry
the castle of Azay-le-Rideau
the small city of Amboise with its Royal castle and the Clos-Lucé, Leonardo Da Vinci’s last resting place.

Chambord castle

Renaissance Gardens at Villandry

Visiting Chaumont-sur-Loire

Discover the Loire by bike

Aperitif time in Amboise

Canoeing at Chenonceau